Driving mechanism for phonographs.



W. W. KIDENEY.

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR PHONOGRAPHS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC- 18, l ifil 1 ,285,221 Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

W. W. KIDENEY.

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR PHONOGRAPHS.

APPLICATION FILED 05c. 18. 1916.

1 ,285,221 Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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W. W. KIDENEY.

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR PHONOGRAPHS. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 13, 1916.

1,285,221. Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

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ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR PHONOGRAPHS.

lpecifloation of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

Application filed December 18, 1916. Serial No. 137,513.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, WILLIAM W. KIDENEY, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Driving Mechanism for of which the following is a. specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in driving mechanism for phonographs and particularly to improved means for bringing the record automatically into engagement with the needle when the machine is started into operation and for likewise automatically separating these elements when the machine is stopped. a

My invention is in the nature of an improvement on the structure shown in my application, Serial No. 124,463, filed October 9, 1916. By my present construction I avoid the use of previous construction and obtain other advantages in construction and operation which will be more clearly understood by having reference to the accompanying drawings in which I have illustrated the pre ferred embodiment of my invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the driving mechanism showing the inclosed casing in section.

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows. V

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken on the line 14 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view taken on the line 5'-5 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a-detailed sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 3.

In the embodiment of my invention, illustrated in the drawings, I have shown a suitable electric motor 7 carried by a bracket 8 depending from the supporting member 9. This supporting member rests within a suitable opening in the top of the casing 10 and is provided with flanges 11 which rest on top of a cover, as clearly indicated in Fig, 1.

The motor 7 operates-to drive the shaft 12,

the opposite end of which is journaled in a sound record 19.

the counter-weight shown in the supporting member 9. Intermediate of its length this shaft is provided with a worm 14 which meshes with the worm gear 15*. This ,worm gear is provided with an elongated hub 16 which surrounds the spindle 17, this hub being keyed to the spindle so that the two rotate together but the spindle may be moved vertically independently of the worm gear. This spindle passes upwardly through a central opening in the supporting member 9 and carries at its upper end the revolving table '18, on which is placed the At its lower end this spindle is journaled in a suitable socket in the bearing block 20 mounted between two arms 21, 22 journaled on the pin 23, which pin is carried by the bracket 24 depending from the supporting member 9. These two arms 21, 22 preferably constitute the opposite ends of a single piece of metal bent in substantial U-form, as shown in Fig. 5. Surrounding the pin 23, and having one end secured thereto, is a spiral spring 25, the outer end of which bears against the base of the U-shaped member. With this construction it will be noted that the downward pressure exerted by the weight of the table on the bearing socket which tends to swmg the arms 21, 22

downward about the pin 23 as a pivot,- is counteracted by the spring pressure exerted by the spiral spring 25. This spring thus not only tends to counterbalance the weight of'the revolving table, but likewise 'acts as a cushionin member when the table drops to its norma position in the manner hereinafter described.

In order to control the speed of the driving shaft 12, I provide a suitable centrifu gal governor consisting of the weighted spring arms 26-secured at .one end to the sleeve 27 rigidly mounted on'the shaft 12. The opposite ends of these spring arms are secured to the collar 28 which'is slidably mounted on the shaft 13. collar 28 carries a disk 29 which is adapted to be brought into engagement with the friction knobs 30 carried by the yoke 31,

. the position of which is controlled through This movable '12 as clearly shown in Fig. i,

tion and other mechanism for this purpose can be employed if desired.

. Normally the revolving table 18 is in the position indicated in full lines in Figs. 1 and 3. In this position the stylus or needle 33 carried by the usual sound arm 34: is out of engagement with the record and in order to bring these two into engagement it is necessary to raise the table into the position shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 3. To bring about this relative movement and to cause the table to be raised automatically when the machine is started into operation, I have provided the following improved arrangement. The elongated hub 16 is provided with a worm 35 which engages with a rack 36 carried by an arm 37 This arm 37., as clearly shown in Fig. 2, is bent at right angles andat itsopposite end is pivotally mounted between the cars 38 whereby it is permitted to swing into and out of engagement with the worm 35. in order to likewise permit this arm to swing in a vertical plane the ears 38 are mounted on a disk 39'which is pivotally mounted on the plate 40. in this manner I provide subtantially a universal joint for the inner end of the arm 37that is, it can swing in either a vertical or horizontal plane. Secured to this arm 37, at a point intermediate of its ends, is a lifting spring 4:1, the opposite end of which is secured to the bracket 42 on the arm 22; By this construction it will be seen that when the arm 37 swings upwardly, in the manner hereinafter described, it exerts a pull through the spring 41 on the arm 22 which thus swings these arms about the pivot pin 23 and thus raises the spindle .17 and the table 18. It will be noted that this spring il is mounted in an inclined angle, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so that it not only operates as a lit ing spring but also exerts a tension tending to hold the rack 36 out of engagement with the. worm 35.

Tn orderto properly control the arm 37 so that it will be engaged and disengaged from the worm 35 at the proper times, 1 provide an arm 43 pivotally connected at one end to the pivoted link 4% and at its opposite end to the pivoted arm 4:75, the lower end of which arm is provided with an extension which rests opposite the end of the shaft 12. The forward end of the arm &3 is provided with a nose 46 which engages with the arm 37. in order to rock this arm 43 forwardly so as to cause it to force the arm 37 into engagement with the worm 35, 1 provide a pin 4.? .slidably mounted in the end of the shaft 12. Thi pin is carried by the sleeve 48 loosely surrounding the shaft 12 and secured to the movable collar 28 by means oi the short pindQ working with opposite slots "formed in the shaft The arm 43 i and the pin 47 thus withdrawn.

inseam is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 1 by means of the spring 50 which is secured at one end to the arm l3 and to the opposite end to the depending bracket 13.

With this construction when the machine starts in operation the worm gear 15 is operated to revolve the spindle 17 and the table carried thereby and at the same time rotates the worm 35. Asthe driving shaft 12 revolves the spring arms 26 of the governor fly outwardly and thus draw the collar 28 and sleeve 48. along the shaft to the right, as shown in Fig. i, and thus force the pin i7 against the end of the arm 45, rocking this arm about its pivot. This causes the upper end of this arm 45 to swing to the left, as shown in Fig. 1, and thus forces the nose of the arm 43 against the arm 37 and presses the rack 36 into engagement with the worm 35. The operation of the worm 35 thus causes the arm 37 to swing upwardly and exert an upward pull through the lifting spring 41 to the arms 22 and in this manner operates to slide the spindle upwardly within the sleeve 16 and thus raise the table so that the record carried thereby engages with the stylus 33. When the table has thus been raised the nose 46, of the arm 43, comes opposite an opening 51 in the arm 37. The lifting spring t1 which, as heretofore pointed out, is so mounted as to exert a force tending to draw the rack away from the worm, is then tree to draw this arm out or enagement with the worm and thus prevent iurther upward movement of the same, the

table being held in its raised position by means of the nose d6 engaging in the opening 51 in the arm 37 The parts remain in this position during the operation of the machine. When the machine is stopped the spring arms of the governor again spring inwardly so as to slide the sleeve 48 along the shaft 12 to the right, as shown in Fig. 4, The spring 50 is then tree to withdraw the arm 43 to its normal position and thus pulls the nose 46 out of the opening 51. The arm 37 is thus tree to swing downwardly due to the weight of the table and in this manner the table and spindle are returned to their normal or lowered position. It will be'noticed that during this downwardmovement the spring ll acts as a shock absorber- -that is, it operates to retard the downward movement and thus prevents the table from returning too suddenly to its lower position. It will thus be seen that l have devised a very eflicient mechanism for automatically raising and lowering the table and this mechanism, is operated without unduly increasing the load placed upon the motor due to the fact that the spiral spring tends to counter-balance the weight of the revolving table.

While I have illustrated only one embodiment of my invention, it will be underadapted to stood that I do not wish to be limited to the exact structure shown and described, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a phonograph, a revolving table carrying a disk record, said stylus being normally out of engagement with said record, means for automatically raising and lowering said table, including a spring operating to counter-balance the weight of said table and to retard the downward movement of the same.

2. In a phonograph, 'a revolving table be raised and lowered, operating mechanism and a lifting spring connected to said operating mechanism for automatically raising said table when the machine is started in operation.

In a phonograph, a revolving table, a spindle upon'which said table is mounted, driving means, a member adapted to be raised by the member for said spindle, and a spring connected between said first mentioned member and said lifting ber whereby said spindle and table carried thereby are raised by the operation of said driving mechanism.

4. In a phonograph, a revolving table, a spindle carrying said table, a pivoted member on which said spindle is mounted, a second pivoted member, driving mechanism, connections between said driving mechanism and said second pivoted member for swinging the latter about its pivot when said driving mechanism is operated, and a connection between such second pivoted member and said first pivoted member whereby the swinging movement of said second pivoted member causes said spindle andtable carried thereby to be raised into operating position.

5. In a phonograph, a revolving table, means for raising said table when the ma chine is started in operation, said means including a worm, a raising member, means for moving said member into and out of engagement with said worm, and means for controlling the movement from said driving mechanis 6. In a phonograph, a revolving table, means for raising said table when the machine is started in operation, said means including a worm, a rack, means for moving said rack into and out of engagement with said worm, to said table whereby movement of said rack causes said table to be raised into operating position.

7. In a phonograph, a spindle upon which said table is mounted, a pivoted arm on one end of which the lower end of said spindle is mounted, driving mechanism, a worm operation of said driving means, a lifting memof said member and a connection from said rack controlled from said driving mechanism, a member adapted to be brought into and out of operative engagement with said worm, and a connection from said member to said pivoted arm whereby movement of said member is imparted to-fsaid spindle and revolving table. J In a phonograph, a spindle upon which said table is mounted, a pivoted arm in one end of which the lower end of said spindle is mounted, driving mechanism, a worm controlled from said driving mechanism, a pivotedrack adapted to be brought into and out of engagement with said worm, and a member connecting said pivoted rack and pivot arm whereby the'movement of said pivoted rack is imparted to said arm there by raising said table.

9 In a phonograph, a spindle upon which said table is mounted, a pivoted arm in one end of which the lower end of said spindle is mounted, driving mechanism, a worm controlled from said driving mechanism, a pivoted rack adapted to be brought into and out of engagement with said Worm, a spring connecting said pivoted rack and pivoted arm whereby the movement of said pivoted rack is imparted to said arm thereby raising said table, said spring operated to maintain said rack normally out of engagement with said rack and means controlled by said. driving mechanism for forcing said rack into engagement with said worm.

10. In a phonograph, a revolving table, means for raising said table when said phonograph is started intooperation, said means including driving mechanism, a worm controlled by said mechanism, a member normally held outof engagement with said worm, means controlled from said driving mechanism when the same is started in operation for causing said member to engage with said worm, and means for automatically disengaging said member from said worm when the table has been raised to its 110 operative position.

11. In a phonograph, a revolving table, driving mechanism therefor, a Worm controlled by said mechanism, a member normally held out of engagement with said 115 Worm, means controlled from said driving mechanism when the same is started in operation 'for causing said member to engage with said worm, operative connections from said member to said table whereby move- 0 ment of said member causes said table to be raised, said connections including means for disengaging said' member from said worm when the table has been raised to its operative position, and means for maintain- 125 ing said table in its raised position during the operation of, said phonograph.

12. In a phonograph, driving mechanism,

a sleeve adapted to be rotated by said driving mechanism, a spindle mounted within 130 said sleeve and rotating therewith, means for moving said spindle longitudinally within said sleeve, said means including a worm mounted on said sleeve, a member adapted to engage and to be disengaged from said worm, and a connection from said member to said spindle.

13. in a phonograph, driving mechanism, a sleeve adapted to be rotated by said driving mechanism, a spindle mounted within said sleeve and rotating therewith, means for moving said spindle longitudinally within said sleeve, said means including a worm mounted on said sleeve, a pivoted rack adapted to engage and to be disengaged from said worm, and a spring connecting said rack with the lower end or said spindle whereby movement of said rack is imparted to said spindle for raising and loweringsaid table.

1%. ln a phonograph, drivingmechanism, a sleeve adapted to be rotated by said driving mechanism, a spindle mounted within said sleeve and rotating therewith, means for moving said spindle longitudinally within said sleeve, said means including a worm mounted on said sleeve, a pivoted rack adapted to engage and to be disengaged from said worm, a spring connecting said rack with the lower end or said spindle whereby movement of said rack is imparted to said spindle for raising and lowering said table, and means for maintaining said table in its raised position during the operation of said phonograph.

15. In a phonograph, driving mechanism, a sleeve adapted to be rotated by said driving mechanism, a spindle mounted within said sleeve and rotating therewith, means for moving said spindle longitudinally within said sleeve, a table carried by said spindle and adapted to be raised into operative position by movement oi? said spindle, and spring means for retarding the downward movement of said spindle and table.

16. in a phonograph, driving mechanism, a sleeve adapted to be rotated by said driving mechanism, a spindle mounted within said sleeve and rotating therewith, means for moving said spindle longitudinally within said sleeve when said driving mechanism is'started into operation, a table carried by said spindle and adapted to be raised into operative position by the movemerit of said spindle, and means for maintaining said table in said operative position during the operation of said driving mechanism.

17. ln a phonograph, driving mechanism, a sleeve adapted to be rotated oy said driving mechanism, a spindle mounted within said sleeve and rotating therewith, means for moving said spindle longitudinally within said sleeve when said driving mechanism is started into operation, carried by said spindle and adapted to be raised into operative position by the movement of said spindle, means :tor maintaining said table in said operative position during the operation or" said driving mechanism, said first mentioned means permitting said table to return to normal position when said driving meohanismis stopped, and spring means for retarding the downward movement of said table. 1

18. In a phonograph, a revolving table, driving mechanism therefor, a worm controlled by said mechanism, a pivoted rack normally held out of engagement with said worm, means controlled from said driving mechanism when the same is started in operation for causing said rack to engage with said worm, a spring operatively connecting said raclr with said table, whereby the upward movement of said rack causes the table to be raised, said spring operating to disconnect said rack from said worm when the table has been raised to its operative position, and spring means for retarding the downward movement of said table.

19. in a phonograph, driving mechanism, a sleeve adapted to be rotated by said'driving mechanism, a spindle mounted within said sleeve and rotated therewith, means for moving said spindle longitudinally within said sleeve, said means including a worm mounted on said sleeve, a pivoted rack, means controlled from said driving mechanism for forcing said melt into engagement with said worm to thereby cause said rack to move about its pivotal point, a connection from said rack to said spindle whereby the movement or said rack causes said spindie to be moved longitudinally within said spindle, and a revolving table carried by said spindle,

20. in a phonograph, driving mechanism, a sleeve adapted to be rotated by said drivlng mechanism, a spindle mounted within said sleeve and rotated therewith, means for moving said spindle longitudinally within said sleeve, said means including a worm mounted on said "sleeve, a pivoted rack, means controlled from said driving mechanism for forcing said real; into engagement with said worm to thereby cause said rack to move about its pivotal point, a connection from said rack to said spindle whereby the movement of said rack causes said spindle to be moved longitudinally within said spindle, a revolving table carried by said spindle, said connection including means for disengaging said rack from said worm when said table has been raised to its operative position, and for maintaining. said rack and table in this position during the operation of said phonograph.

:21. in a phonograph, driving mechanism, a sleeve adapted to be rotated by said drivmechanism, a spindle mounted within said sleeve and rotated therewith, means for moving'said spindle longitudinally within said sleeve, said means including a worm mounted on said sleeve, a pivoted rack, means controlled from said driving mechanism for forcing said rack into engagement with said worm to thereby cause said rack to move about its pivotal point, a connection from said rack to said spindle whereby the movement of said rack causes said spindle to be moved longitudinally within said spindle, a revolving table carried by said spindle, said connection including means-for disengaging said rack from said worm when said tablehas been raised to its operative 15 position, and for maintaining said rack and table in this position during the operation of said phonograph, and for releasing said rack and table when said phonograph is stopped, and spring means for retarding the 20 downward movement of said table.

Signed by me at Chicago, Illinois, this 15th day of November, 1916.

WILLIAM W. KIDENEY.

Witnesses:

AMY JEHLE, E. H. GLEGG. 

